Informal negotiations over teacher contracts serve to create an atmosphere of trust and to focus settlements on items of major concern. This article gives guidelines established during such a "nonnegotiation" process in Coldwater (Michigan). (Author/WD)

Describes the impact of student mobility on academic achievement. Offers suggestions for helping school districts with high student mobility. (PKP)

Describes the sex education program in Beaverton (Oregon) and offers suggestions for initiating a similar program in other districts. (WD)

Examines the problems inherent in working with citizen advisory committees and offers advice to boards and administrators on meeting or preventing conflict with these groups. (WD)

Describes process for developing a successful superintendent-school board governance team to improve student achievement. (PKP)

Describes qualities of a good preschool child-development program: Competent staff, parent partnerships, administrative support, and school board support. Provides list of online resources. (PKP)

A school board member and a superintendent realized in their three years of working together in a Florida school district how crucial the board/superintendent relationship is to a smoothly running school district. Advises board members and superintendents to keep their roles straight and to work as a team. Offers guidelines to board presidents.…

Offers advice on how to implement an online learning program. Includes a description of the planning process, funding requirements, teacher training, technology requirements, access options, and management and control issues. Describes some common types of online learning programs and virtual schools. Includes excerpts from "Guide to Online School…

A school superintendent lists what he does in an average day. (IRT)

An alternative elementary school in South Dakota requires parents to sign a contract mandating one half-day per week of volunteer service to the school for each child enrolled. Such participation may include conducting lessons, preparing teaching materials, keeping records, supervising activities, and serving as teacher aides. (TE)

Discusses implications of national survey of school-based police that finds majority of respondents believe schools are vulnerable to a terrorist attack. Describes school board's role in improving school safety, steps school officials can take to reduce risk, and some practical, cost-effective measures to increase security. (PKP)

Lists 10 questions a school board should ask the superintendent to help district improve the recruitment and hiring of excellent teachers. For example, can you briefly explain the process we use to hire teachers? (PKP)

Describes appropriate role of school board when controversial personnel issue becomes public. (PKP)

Describes findings of several studies examining the influence of peer pressure on children and adolescents and what schools can do to help alleviate that pressure, especially among adolescents. (PKP)

The board's and superintendent's task in policy development should be clear: to recognize all members of the education community and to obtain their views before policies are set in concrete. (Author/JM)